A sewer backup should be treated as a plumbing emergency. If pipes and drains are filled with raw sewage, it puts your family’s health at risk.
There are several signs it might be a sewer backup. You’ll notice
- A foul smell coming from the drains.
- Slow draining tubs, showers, and laundry lines.
- A gurgling or bubbling noise throughout your home in fixtures and drains.
- Basement drains overflow.
While homes are designed to avoid sewer line problems, they do occasionally occur. They can back up for a variety of reasons, including:
- Flushing items that shouldn’t be flushed
- Storms and flooding
- Structural damage
- Root infiltration
- Fat, oil, and grease in your drain
- Pipe blockage
- Broken pipes
Sewer backups aren’t something to ignore. At the first sign of trouble, take action. Sewer problems can quickly destroy your valuables, damage your home, and even impact your health.
Instead of waiting for a backup to occur, it’s easier to reduce your risks in the first place.
- Dispose of all fat, oil, and grease in the proper manner. Never pour it down the drain.
- Dispose of paper products only. Those flushable wipes aren’t really that flushable.
- Install backflow prevention valves or sump pumps as needed. Your plumbing technician can make suggestions on the best places for installation.
- Replace pipes. Like all parts of your home, your pipes need regular maintenance and occasional replacement as well. Nothing functions forever.
If you experience a sewer backup:
- Call in a professional plumber immediately to assess the damage.
- Clean all affected areas. This also should be handled by professionals, depending on the circumstance.
- Reach out to your insurance provider within 24 hours to start the claim process.
Have further questions about sewer backup and in need of sewer line services?We can help!